It Shouldn't be This Easy
Chapter 2
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-Toph-
"I said," the young man asks again, hoisting me to my feet. I look up into sharp blue eyes. His tanned skin contrasts harshly with my pale hands. His brown hair falls casually into his eyes, dragged down by the downpour. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." I bark, brushing myself off. "Who are you?"
The boy stares at me. "Sokka Kirima."
"Well. Thanks." I say awkwardly.
A grin spreads across his face. "You haven't told me your name."
"I don't have to."
"Yes, I saved you from falling on the pavement, you owe me."
Before I could bite back the main doors of the Earth Kingdom Hall burst open and someone screamed into the night, "TOPH BEIFONG! MY LITTLE GIRL HAS ESCAPED! SHE'S BEEN KIDNAPPED! HELP! HELP!"
"Lady Beifong, please calm down, you daughter is probably fine. I saw her only a few minutes ago and she was completely fine." Zuko follows out behind her attempting, and failing, to comfort my mother, a task the bravest solders would shy away from.
"How can you say that Zuko!? My daughter has been kidnapped by brutes! They're probably going to demand ransom and…" I can see her turn and look at me, still being held onto by Sokka. "TOPH!"
He's still smiling. "So that's your name. Toph Beifong. Well, I'll see you around, Toph Beifong." With that he ran off, turning into a dark blur in the rain.
"Toph! Toph! Are you alright?" My mother screeches into the night before pulling me into a suffocating hug.
"I'm fine mom." I say into her dress, doing my best to save my air supply.
"Who was that boy? Did he kidnap you?" She coos, stroking my soaked hair.
"No mom," I decided to play the helpless, little girl card, "I just accidentally wandered out of the ball. I ripped my dress and was ever so lost." I can hear Zuko stifle a sceptical laugh.
"Well, you're say now dear."
Safe and caged.
"Lady Toph Beifong, a guest has arrived for you." I was sitting by the fire, trying to get rid of last night's chill.
"I wasn't expecting anyone." I say, standing up and brushing off my pale green dress.
The servant bows slightly. "He says that your mother told him to come."
I sigh, another boy here for me to get married to. "Send him in then."
The butler leaves and a few minutes later brings in a young man. His black hair is casually messy while his suit was a clean-cut dark brown.
A door to my right burst open and my mother came bustling in. "Good, you've arrived!" She walks over to Aang, wrapping an around Aang's shoulder and leads him over to me. "Toph, darling, this is Sir Aang Gyago."
"Charmed." He winks at me and takes my hand, giving it a light kiss. I hold back a lip curl.
My mother simply explodes when he pecks my hand. "You two are going to make the most adorable couple!"
I turn on her. "What?"
"Oh, I've said to much." She looks at the clock, breathless from excitement. "Toph! You're late! Quick, get dressed. It was lovely meeting you Aang."
"Likewise." He says, giving her a little nod.
"Mother, what do you mean 'couple'?" I demand.
"Hurry, hurry! You know he doesn't like waiting." She pushes me out of the doorway. Ignoring more of my questions we go down the grand staircase and two doormen open doubledoors and I'm lead onto the street. Waiting for me is a man with an umbrella. I'm shunted further and further onto the street.
I turn around and look at my mother who has stayed in the house. "When I get back we are talking about this." She closes the door and I climb into the carriage.
"Ready?" Zuko asks. The violin was perched on his shoulder and the bow was poised above the strings.
I sit at the piano and place my fingers on the smooth keys. "Yes."
Zuko starts, his eyes closed in concentration and he plays. The melody weaves up and down until it ends. He takes a small rest. "So what's this all about getting coupled with Sir Aang?"
I start to play, chords that echo through the small room. Once my fingers start to play by themselves I answer, "My mother expects to marry him or something."
Zuko starts to play again, but his eyes are open, meaning his mind is not on our duet. His solo fades as I come in, chords compressed and a melody gently played by my right hand. "Did she really imply marriage?"
We start playing together. His long notes acting as background to my sweet song. "Yes. It was never stated but she implied it."
A conversation start between our instruments, the piano would demands something sweet and coy while the violin would answer, thoughtful and wise. Our long hours of practicing coming in handy as we continue our own verbal conversation, "Marriage? But you still have yet to reach marrying age."
A brief rest. "Only a few more weeks Zuko. Then I'll be thrown amongst the foul dogs, free for the picking, who wouldn't chose me the daughter of the richest lord in all of Ba Sing Se. I'll be taken before my birthday night is over." The music begins again, more powerful as the banter escalates. The violin sings much louder while the piano grows faster. Suddenly, the stringed instrument has nothing to say and the piano flies up and down scales before drifting into silence.
"Surely not all men are dogs. What about me?"
They start fighting, the violin insisting its point while the piano refuses to accept its answer. "You seem to be the sole man with anything close to a soul in his body."
The bow leaves the strings for a moment and the quarrel ceases. "Do you really mean that?"
"Of course I do." Our music now echoes in the hall. This pause gives me time to stare at Zuko. I grin and him, he smirks back and with all the unsung passion within us, all the rebelliousness so forbidden from our world we played.
Violence, some might call it, as we attack each note, each chord with vivacity. Zuko scrambles up the notes while my fingers dance across each key. We both start going down, down, faster with each bar.
It halts. One chord is played in unison, another halt. The final is struck and an invisible audience applauds our performance.
"I hate being a woman sometimes." I say, leaning on the piano as Zuko laughs.
A/N
Yes, Zuko and Toph play duets. Why? Because it's super cool.
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